Berthoud: Two police officers under criminal investigation

Larimer County sergeant takes helm as interim chief

The Larimer County District Attorney's Office and the Loveland Police Department are investigating two Berthoud police officers for undisclosed criminal activity, according to the town's website.

"No charges have been filed and no details have been released to the Town," stated a press release posted late Monday at Berthoud.org.

Earlier in the day, Larimer County Sheriff spokesman John Schulz said Sgt. John Feyen of the sheriff office's investigations unit is acting as the town's interim police chief at the request of town officials.

A press release posted to the town's website on Friday noted that officials "received numerous inquiries regarding allegations made against several of its police officers," and that allegations had not been substantiated.

"It is appropriate to bring the Department under outside supervision in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety," Monday's press release said. "Equally important, the interim chief loaned from the Sheriff's Department will not be distracted from the performance of police obligations by an investigation in which he would be in any way involved."

Schulz said he did not know if Berthoud Police Chief Glenn Johnson was among those on administrative leave, but the Denver Post reported that the chief is also on leave.

Marshall Zelinger, a reporter at Denver television station 7News tweeted on Monday night, "Source: chief under investigation for what he knew about alleged actions by ofc."

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The Post also reported that Loveland police served a search warrant on Johnson's office on Oct. 3.

The request to take over was received last week, but Schulz said he was not sure exactly when Feyen took over.

"This is rare, but not unprecedented," he said of the sheriff's office's investigation of another agency.

The Denver Post reported in May that the Berthoud Police Department had eight officers.

Berthoud Town Administrator Michael Hart was not immediately available for comment.

The Berthoud Town Board is scheduled to meet in special session on Tuesday evening.